Mytholmroyd Flood
Alleviation Scheme

Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme is a £41m flood defence scheme to provide better protection for 400 properties in Mytholmroyd. The scheme was completed in 2021 providing better protection for around 400 properties in the village.

About the scheme

Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme was developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with Calderdale Council, the local community, and partners. VBA, a joint venture comprising VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business, were the main contractor responsible for its design and construction.

Vital works completed as part of the scheme include:

  • New, raised flood and improved walls.
  • The relocation of Caldene Bridge (the video explains why).
  • Widening of the river channel at key locations.
  • Waterproofing of buildings next to the river.

View a copy of the Mytholmroyd Scheme leaflet. The leaflet provides some background information and explains how the scheme was developed.

Gemini said An outdoor group portrait of thirteen people standing on a paved road in front of a newly constructed stone flood wall. The group, a mix of men and women dressed in professional and business-casual attire, is positioned in two rows. In the center of the group, Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, stands smiling in a dark dress with white trim. Behind the group, a curved, light-brown stone wall follows the line of a river. In the background, traditional stone buildings, a "Sainsbury's Local" storefront, and green hills under a bright, slightly hazy sky are visible. The scene is lit by clear, direct sunlight.
Background

Following the devastating floods of Boxing Day 2015 and history of flooding in Mytholmroyd, it was important that a flood alleviation scheme was designed and constructed as quickly as possible. To develop the scheme at pace, many aspects of the programme including design work, community consultation, obtaining planning permission and ground investigation work all ran in parallel.

Whilst designing the scheme, work was carried out to protect the village including repairing damaged defences, removing blockages and installing new temporary defences. Data and evidence were gathered during the inspection process to help develop a better understanding of the catchment and produce computerised models to confirm how certain scenarios for flood risk measures will work.

Working with the community

The views of people living and working in Mytholmroyd have been vital to developing the new flood defences. It has been important to work closely with stakeholders and members of the community. In October 2016 a public consultation event was held to get feedback on proposals. Members of the local community were asked to vote on their preferences for some of the wall finishes. Our contractors, VBA, held a supplier engagement day inviting local suppliers and contractors to become involved in the project.

February 2020 flood review findings

Following the devastating flooding experienced in Mytholmroyd on 9 February 2020, the Environment Agency has been working to understand the flood event in more detail. This has included a review of the performance of the existing, new and temporary flood defences, and what lessons could be learned. The summary of the findings and a more detailed report which accompanies the summary document can viewed below.

The Environment Agency receiving an award for the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme.
ICE Award

The project won the Centenary Award at the recent Institution of Civil Engineers Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2022. It won the top prize for projects valued at £5million and over across the region. The project was recognised for its commitment to Health and Safety, working in a constrained environment and community engagement.

To find out more about the scheme get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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